[The role of edema in cerebral ischemia. From physiopathology to therapeutics].

Brain ischemia induces an original form of edema associating a "cytotoxic" component and a "vasogenic" component which is more inconstant. The authors set out a synthesis of fundamental research concerning the different factors of ischemic brain edema. Although anti-edematous drugs (steroids, barbiturates, diuretics) are widely used, there is no serious evidence of their efficacity. New therapies are based on a specific approach of the different disturbances of cerebral ischemia. However, controlled studies are necessary to evaluate the effects of these new drugs.